Grab-bucket.



A. WALGHBR & H. M. PLAISTBD.

GRAB BUCKET.

APPLIGATIONPILED JULY 31, 1909.

1,010,331. Patented Nov.28,1 911.

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A. WALCHBR & H. M. PLAISTED GRAB BUCKET.

APPLIUATON FILED JULY 31, 1909-.

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A. WALCHER & H. M. PLAISTBD.

` GRAB BUCKET.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY s1, 1909.

Patented Nov. 28, 1911.

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, TTTTE sTATns PATENT ALFRED WALCI-IER, OF ST.' LOUIS, MISSOURI, AND rELALROLD M. PLAISTED, OF GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS.

GRAB-BUCKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 31, 1909.

Patented Nov. 2e, 1911.

Serial No. 510,519.

and HAROLD M. PLAIsTED, of Granite City,

county of Madison, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvef ments in Grab-Buckets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention concerns grab buckets and relates more particularly to the actuating and operating means therefor, together with the general arrangements of the parts of the' device. y

The improvements contemplated by this invention aim to obtain a betterment of'the general features and functions of the various parts of the apparatus embodying the invention as will be readily understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred and desirable embodiment of theinvention, which should be taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating such a device, and throughout the various views of which like reference characters refer to the same parts.

In the drawings-Figure l is a side elevation of the device with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate the features, the bucket being in open condition; Fig. 2 is an end view of the construction shown in Fig. 1 with a part of-one of the buckets omitted for the sake of clearness of illustration; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the bucket operating and actuating mechanism latched or hooked to the bucket proper; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the appliance with the buckets in closed relation; Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe bucket on a reduced scale, with the bucket in closed position; Fig. 6 is an end view of the bucket shown in Fig.` 5, with certain parts shown in section; Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the latch or hook, showing the same on an enlarged scale, and Fig. 8 is a view of the hook and the parts thereofin different relation. y

Referring to the drawings, it will be noticed that the two buckets 10` and 11 are hinged on' a main frame composed of two end castings 12 and 13 united by side channel bars 14 and 15, the corners of the frame being strengthened and reinforced by the gusset-plates 16 riveted to the castings and channel bars. Each of the end castings 12 and 13 has a horizontal top flat plate portion 17 supplied with three apertures 18, 19 and 20, such plate portion having depending from its inner edge adownwardly extended flange 21. parallel with which, and

-extended downwardly'from the bottom face of the plate 17 is another. flange 22, the plate extending beyond this latter flange slightly, as is indicated at 23. Integral with the plate 17 and the flanges 21 and 22 is a `plurality of webs 24 provided with bearings 25 for the accommodation of a transverse end shaft 26, on which one of the buckets is hinged or pivoted. by means of bracket arms 27 secured thereto. Each shaft or rod 26 is conveniently held in position by the 'application of threaded nut-s 28 at its opposite ends, which construction will be readily understood. Each casting 13 has adjacent to the outer margin of the central aperture an inclined wall or flange 29 integral with the casting and braced in position by integral brackets 30, 30. At the inner edge of the opening 19 a similar wall or flange 31 is provided, which formsa unitary part of the casting 13 and is strengthcned by a pair of curved braces or brackets 32, shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 3.

To limit the opening movement or downward swing of the two buckets l0 and 11, we provide each with one or more chains 33 connected at their. lower ends to the sides of the buckets at 34 and fastened at their upper ends to eye-bolts 35 extended through inclined apertured bosses 36 forming an enlargement of the bottom flanges of the side channel bars 14. Obviously then the buckets can swing on their hinge rods 26 only to the extent permitted by these limiting or stop chains, as is illustrated in Fig. 1. Each bucket has pivoted to each side wall near its free end at a bent link 38, the inner ends of such four links being apertured and receiving in such holes a link pin 39 held in place by nuts or collars 40. As is clearly shown in Fig. 2 the inner ends of these links 38 are spaced apart sufficiently to leave an intermediate portion of the link pin 39 exposed for a purpose hereinafter indicated.

On the middle port-ion of each shaft 26 we rotatably mount a link or arm 41 which 'projects upwardly through the aperture or arms 4l ,by the two pairs of links 43, the

vIt() ends of which are pivoted on the latch-pin 42 and on the pins or bolts 44 passing through the upper ends or arms 41.

As we have clearly illustrated in Fig 4, the connecting links 43 of each pair are spaced apart a distance equal to t-he thickness of the links or arms 41, and on that portion of the latch-pin 42 between such links we mount, so as to rotatethereon, the outstanding arms or bifurcated portion 45 of a latch or hook 46, the lower portion of which is sufficiently heavy to at all times maintain it in the position indicated in the various figures. This h-ook 46 has two depending fingers 47 and 48, a portion of the latter being bifurcated or slotted at 49. The finger 47 is recessed on one side at 51, having an inclined surface 50 adapted to coact with the link-piny 39, which, as we have illustrated, is intended, under certain conditions, to coperate with this surface and be received in the recess `or cavity 51 of the latch or hook. In order to maintain the coaction between such latch and the linkpin 39, there is pivoted on a pin 52 in the bifurcated portion 49 of linger 48 a locking dog or keeper'53, the free end of which may rest at 54' on the inclined ledge or surface 50 and is normally pressed to such position by a coiled spring r55 encircling the pin 52 and having one of its ends 56 engaging the finger 48 while the other end 57 bears against a pin 58 on the dog, such construction being clearly shownin Figs. 7 and 8. In order that such retaining dog or keeper may be lifted so as to permit the link pin 39 to pass out of the latch we connect such dog by means of a chain 59 with an operating handle 60 pivoted 4on the latch pin 42 between the ears 45 of the latch. A heavy chain 61 is .under normal conditions connected to the latch pin 42 by means of a lifting hook 62, the chain and hook being connected to and actuated by any suitable raising and lowering or hoisting means, not illustrated, such hook engaging the pin 42 between the arms or ears 45 of the latch 46.

The parts of this bucket operating mechanism, consisting of the link and latch construction mounted ona frame, and the disposition of the various parts of the appliance are such that when the links 43 are straightened out or on dead center, as is indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 5, the links or swingingl arms 41 will engage or almost strike the stop flanges or abutments 29, which construction necessitates that under certain conditions, the latch 46' shall be directly above the link pin 39 when the buckets are in the open position shown in Fig. 1. As the links of this operating and actuating mechanism descend still farther and the latch is about to engage the link pin 39, the arms 41 engage or almost strike the inner stop flanges 31 of the frame, thereby determining the proper position for this latch in order that. it may accurately engage and coperate with the rod or pin 39. If the latch while descending has a tendency to be shifted to one side or the other, one of the arms 41 will strike the shoulder 29 or 31, and maintain such engagement unt-il the latch is again shift-ed toits medial or central position.

The operation ofthis device is substantially as follows: buckets are in closed relation, as in Fig. 5, and that the latch 46 is holding them in such position, the bucket may be raised or lowered by means of the chain 61 which through its end hook 62 sustains and bears the weight of the bucket and the load which it may carry. When the bucket has been brought to the proper position for the discharge of its contents, the latter may be quickly and readily dumped by an voperator pushing or pulling down on the handle 60, which action causes such handle to swing on t-he latch pin 42 and to lift the spring operated locking dog 53, as is shown in Fig. 8. Such action on the part 'of the operator frees the link-pin 39, which immediately slides down the incline 50 of the latch and frees itself therefrom. The buckets being thus liberated drop by their own weight and that of the load which they contain to the lower limit of their downward swing, indicated in Fig. 1, thereby dropping and discharging their contents. As soon as the handle 60 is freed the dog 53 snaps back into operative position, as will be readily understood.

To close and again'raise the bucket which may be resting upon any suitable support, the hoisting device is manipulated to permit the descentof chain 6l, hook 62, latch 46 and the link mechanism mounted on the frame which constitutes the actuating and operating mechanism for the bucket proper; this link mechanism referred to being composed of the parts 41 and 43. As these united elements descend, the latch 46 is caused to travel downwardly substantially vertically or on a line midway between the pair of shafts 26 by the stop flanges or shoulders 29 and 31, in the manner'above referred to. Near the end of such downward movement of the latch its lower, beveled surface engages and strikes against the link-pin 39 directing the latter to the mouth of the recess 51, such link-pin pushing back the spring-operated locking dog 53 sufficiently to permit the entrance of the pin into the cavity 51, whereupon the dog-springs back into t-he lockingl position shown inv Fig. 7. The parts are now in the relation indicated in Fig. 3, and upon the raising of the chain 61 the elements of the apparatus may be brought back to the closed position in Fig. 5. The bucket during this, closing operation Assuming that the two may be caused to grab or pick up its load, or the bucket may be merely closed in this manner and receive its load in any other way, the discharge of such loads occurring through the manipulation or actuation of the lfiandle 60, as has been described hereinbeore.

We do not wish to have it understood from this description and illustration of one particular embodiment of the invention that the latter is necessarilyl limited and restricted to the precise structural features and characteristics herein indicated, because these may be modified and changed within wide limits withoutv departure. from the substance and essence of this particular invention.

l/Ve claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, a pair of buck ets pivoted thereto, means for limiting the opening` movement of said buckets, a link unconnected with the frame attached to each bucket, a pin pivotally connect-ing the free ends of said links, a bucket operating device, links pivotally connecting said device with said frame, and means for guiding said links in their pivotal movement on the frame, substantially as described.

2. In the device of the character described, the combination of a frame, a pair of buckets pivo-ted thereto, means for limiting the opening movement of said buckets, a pair of links pivotally connected together at one end and attached at their other ends to the buckets, said links being adap-ted to assume a substantially horizontal position beneath the frame when the buckets are lowered to the limit of their opening movement., al bucket operating device, links connecting said device with the frame near each end thereof, whereby said device may be movedA from a position above to apositionbelow the frame, and means carried by said device whereby said device may be disengageably connected with said bucket connecting links to raise the bucket to closed position, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame having a pair of spaced parallel flanges at each end there* of, a pair of buckets pivoted to said frame, a pair of freely movable links each attached at one end to a bucket, a pin for pivotally connecting the free ends of said links, a swinging arm pivoted between each of said pair of flanges on the frame, a bucket operating device, and links connecting said device with said swinging arms whereby said device may be lowered into engagement with the pivotal pin of the bucket connect ing links, substantially as described.

4L. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting frame, a pair of oppositely-facing buckets hinged to said frame, a'pair of bucket links each fulcrumed at one end to a bucket, a pin pivotally connecting the free ends of said links, a pair of swinging arms rockingly mounted on opposite portions of the frame, a pair of stops for each of said arms limiting the swinging of the same in opposite directions, a pair of operating links pivotally connected together and to said swinging arms, and means carried by said operating links and adapted to engage and disengage said connecting pin in the bucket closing and opening operations, substantiallyas described.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting frame, a pair of oppositely-facing buckets hinged to said Jframe, a pair of bucket links each fulcrumed at one end to a bucket, a pin pivotally connecting the free ends of said links, a. pair of swinging arms rockingly mounted on opposite portions of the frame, a pair of stops for each of said arms limiting the swinging of the same in opposite directions, a pair of operating links pivotally connected together and to said swinging arms, and means comprising a pair of rigid fingers and a coperating keeper carried by said operating links and adapted to engage and disengage said connecting pin in the bucket closing and opening operations, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting frame, a pair of oppositely-facing buckets hinged to said frame, a pair of bucket links each fulcrumed at one end to a bucket, a pin pivotally connecting the free ends of said links, a pair of swinging arms rockingly mounted on opposite portions of the frame, a pair of stops for each of said arms limiting the swinging of the same in opposite directions, a pair of operating links pivotally connected together and to said swinging arms, and means comprising a pairof rigid ngers and a spring-pressed latch mounted on one of said fingers carried by said operating linksand adapted to engage and disengage said connecting pin in the bucket closing and opening operations, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting frame, a pair of oppositely facing buckets hinged to said frame, a pair of bucket links each fulcrumed at one end to a bucket, a pin pivotally connecting the free ends of said links, a pair of swinging arms rockingly mounted on opposite portions of the frame, a pair of stops for each of said arms limiting the swinging of the same in opposite directions, a pair of operating links pivotally connected together and to said swinging arms, means comprising a pair of rigid fingers and Aa s rinvressed latch mounted on one of said fingers carried by said operating links and adapted to engage and disengage said connecting pin in the bucket closing and opening operations, and means to actuate said latch in opposition to the action of the spring to free the bucket links from the operating links whereby to permit the buckets to swing down on their hinges and discharge their load, substantially as described. l

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, a pair of buckets hinged thereto, means connecting said buckets together, a bucket operating mechanism linked to said frame and adapted for attachment to a hoisting mechanism, a latch on said bucket operating 'mechanism adapted to disengageably connect the latter with said bucket connecting means, and means coperating with the links connecting said bucket operating means to said frame to control the path of travel of said latch, whereby to properly direct the latter to the bucket connecting means when the buckets are in an open position, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a frame, a pair of. buckets hinged thereto, means connecting said buckets together, a bucket operating mechanism linked to said frame and adapted for attachment to a hoisting mechanism, a latch on said bucket operating mechanism adapted to disengageably connect the latter with said bucket connecting y means, and one or more abutments on said frame coperating with the links connecting said bucket operating means to said frame to control the path of travel of'said latch whereby to properly direct the latter to the bucket connecting means when the bucket-s are in an open position, subst-antially as described.

10. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a frame, a pair of buckets hinged to the opposite ends of said frame, a link pivoted to each bucket near its free end, a link-pin pivotally connecting together the other'ends of said bucket links, a pair of frame links pivotally mounted on and at the opposite ends of said frame, a

Vsecond pair of links pivotally connected t0- i gether by a latch pin and pivotally conthe latch to permit the buckets to swing downwardly to discharge the load, substan-` tially as described.

ll. In a device of the character described, the combination of a supporting frame, a pair of buckets hinged to said frame, means connecting the free ends of said buckets, swinging arms rockingly mounted on opposite portions of the frame, means for limiting the swinging movement of each of said arms, operating links pivotally connected together and attached to the free ends of said swinging arms, and means carried by said operating links and adapted to engage and disengage with the means connecting the free ends of said buckets to close and permit the opening of the buckets, substantially as described.

ALFRED WALCHER. HAROLD M. PLAISTED.

AViitnesses to Walchers signature:

GEO. GnrFLoYD, EDWARD E. DOWELL. itnessesr to Plaisteds signature:

E. C. STROEBE, EDWARD E. HARPER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

